Locomotive stoker



2 Sheets-Sheet l R m Fully xlls I T R w (w w NW w W m l 6 Oct. 31,1939.

Original Filed Aug. 3, 1934 Oct. 31, 1939.

Original Filed -Aug. 3, 1934 E. A. TURNER LOCOMOTIVE STOKER 2 Sheets-Sheet fwmw INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 31, 1939 2,177,794

EdwinArcher Turner','Newi,York,N. Y., assignor,

by mesne assignments, toThe Standard Stoker Company, Inc.', New York,.N Y., a corporation Applic ation'hugust 3,'1934, SerialNo. 738,167

Renewed October; 4', 1938 This. invention relates generally to stokers for which the trough 26 is a part, rigidly mounted on locomotives and'the likeand more particularly it the'tender underframe 22in any suitable man-L. appertains to that class known as inside feed; nerj the forward conduit .or inclinedriser sec: stokers which convey the fuel to a point within-the tion 28 rigidly fixed to the foundation ring by the 5, firebox where pressurefluid blasts act againstthe brackets .29 and the bolts 30, 3|, as best shown in fuelto spread it over the firebed. i Fig. fl; and the telescopic intermediate section 32.-

LIt is theprincipal. object to provide an im- The rearward part 33 of the intermediate conduit proved simplified and more compact stoker of theis universally connected at 34 to the frontendof class described having all the advantages of both the rearward conduit section 27 and the forward.

IO inside and outside feed stokers and a minimum part 35 ofthe intermediate section is similarly number of th disadvantages f ither class, universally connected at 36 to the forward con- Other objects residein'the arrangement and duitsection 28. This latter sectioninay be suprelation of the stoker parts with the firebox and ported from the backhead l4. bythe bracket 31. in the particular shape of thedischarge elbow, as forming a seat fo t e integral W t will appearin the following description taken in the conduit. connection'with the accompanying drawings, in .J is c ye u h e d t S c ions hi h, by a sectional conveyor screw comprising the sec- Fig, l is a. central vertical longitudinal sections 39, 40, and M1 rotatably mounted in the tional view through the forward portion of a conduit sections 27, 32, and 28 respectively. The tender andthe rearward portion of a locomotive adj t ends of th Screw sectionsfile universally 20 with the stoking device of the invention shown coupled together as at 42 and- 43 within the th r i similar ti n; vicinityof the universal connections 3d and 33 of Fig. 2 is afragmentary plan view of the structhe conduits. Any suitable mechanism.may be ture shown in Fig. 1, with some parts broken away emp y for i g O y W p and with the firebox backheadshown in section; ably from its rearward end. 25

-Fig, 3 is a rear elevation oithe backhead of. From the description of the conduit and conthe locomotive above the cab; veyor screw sections it will be understood that Fig. lis arear elevation of the backhead of the stoker provides for the necessary articula- Fig); 1 with the stoker parts shown in cross secti'on between the locomotive and the tender. tion taken on the plane of the rear surface of 1 1 e inVentifiTeSideS P i y in the 3 the backhead; and I structionofthe forward or inclined conduit sec- Fig. 5 is a sectional viewon the line 5-5 of tion 28 and in its relation with the firebox l2 and Fig. .1. associated-parts as will now befully described.

0n the drawings the locomotive I0 is shown In carrying out the stated objects of the in with an underframe II a firebox I2, and acab vention it is important to position the inclined 35 'I3. The firebox has a backhead l4 formed of conduit section .28 in the lower portion of the the inner and outer sheets l5, l6 and the foundabackhead opening lsclosely adjacent the foundation or mud ring '11 which, as is well known, tion ring l'l. This is desirable to avoid cab intru-i corresponds to the ground plan of the firebox, sion. When in this location the conduit section Centrally of the backhead Hi, the rear leg of the inclines forwa dly and upwardly from beneath 40 foundation ring is provided with an integral upthe cab deck 20 to a point within thefirebox l2 standing arch IB positioned between the fireabove the grates 1211. With the deck 20 disposed box sheets I5, I 6 thus forming an elongated relatively close to the underframe ll asshown opening l9 extending above and below the cab the inclined conduit section 28 passes through the 45 d ck orfloor 20. plane of the deck close to the backhead M. It 45 Rearward of the locomotive [IL-the tender is intherefore. protrudesslightly into the cab l3 as dicated as a Whole at 2|. It is of ordinary conbest shown in Figs. 1 and 3 but the amount of instruction having the underframe 22, the fuel trusion is not objectionable because it is not suin bunker 23 and the apertured floor 24 which carcient to constitute an obstruction. In those inries the usual slide plates; 25. These plates, as stances where the deck1 is disposed higher above is well'understood, control the passage of fuel the underframe, the inclined conduit may be posifrom the bunker 23 into the trough 26 of the tioned so that no part of it will extend into the stoking device S which is of improved construc cab. e

v r tion and now-will be described. The discharge mouth ofthe inclined. conduit 28 a I ,Itinclu'des the rearward conduit section 21, of is constructed in the. form of a separable upwardly over the firebed to promote combustion.

opening elbow or discharge member 45 approximately triangular in shape at its outlet end. One side of the triangular outlet end is disposed parallel to the inner firebox sheet l and preferably in the same upstanding plane. The other sides extend forwardly to meet the rounded corner 45 the radius of which is greater than the radius of the oppositely disposed rounded corners 47, 4B. As the elbow 45 extends rearwardly its shape changes gradually to a circular form corresponding to the shape of the rear portion of the inclined conduit.

A circular collar 49 at the inlet end of the elbow forms a seat 59 receiving the forward end of the rearward portion of the inclined conduit 28. Tap bolts 5| are employed to maintain these parts in operative relation. The forward screw section 4| terminates adjacent the inlet end of the elbow 45 so as not to interfere with removal or replacement of the elbow and further to cause the fuel to form into a stream filling the elbow. As the fuel rises in the elbow it is turned upwardly into the zone of action of pressure fluid jets discharging from the jet openings 52 in the distributor head 53 mounted at the rearward wall or fiat side of the elbow. Bolts 54 engaging registering flanges 55, 56 of the distributor head and elbow respectively secure the head in operative position to the elbow.

The outlet end of the elbow is partially surrounded by the firing table 51 supported by the ledge 58 on the elbow and also by the lugs 59. Bolts 60 secure the lugs 59 to registering lugs Bl of the elbow 45 to fasten the firing table 51 to the elbow. Upstanding protecting grates 62 positioned approximately vertically between the table and the firebox grates and extending around the elbow to the backhead [4 protect the inclined conduit from the heat of the fire and provide the apertures 63 for introducing air This air may be drawn in through the opening 64 in the firebox grate beneath the elbow 45 or through that portion of the opening l9 below the cab deck 20.

That portion of the opening l9 above the cab deck 20 is provided with a covering comprising the separate plate-like sections 65, 65, and 61. Opposite to the upper boundary portion of the opening l9, the covering is apertured at 68 in the plate section 65 to provide an opening through which fuel may be hand fired or access may be had to the interior of the firebox. This aperture or hand firing opening 59 is closed by the usual form of Butterfly firedoor 59. An upstanding ledge on the plate section 66 engages the lower edge portion of the firedoor to act as a stop therefor against outward pressure caused by broken flues or other boiler explosions.

Another aperture in the cover plate provided at H in the plate section 66 forms an opening through which may be introduced the pressure fluid supply lines 72 leading from the manifold 73 to the distributor head 53. The manifold may be secured to the cover plate section 61 below the firedoor 69. Pressure fluid is supplied to the manifold through the supply line 14 and, as is well known in the art, the valves 75 of the manifold may be regulated to control the pressure fluid propelling jets.

Directly below the manifold 13 the cover plate section 61 is cut away to fit around that portion of the inclined conduit section 28 which enters the elongated opening above the cab deck 20. The bottom edge of the plate 6! contacts the deck 20 thereby forming with the other cover plate sections together with the firedoor a covering for that portion of the opening I9 above the deck 20, with the exception of the small aperture H. The covering is secured to the backhead by any suitable number of studs or bolts as at 76. v

A floor plate 1'! is fitted in the opening l9 between its sides and between the cover plate section 66 and the elbow 45 and firing table 51. This floor plate 71 extends forwardly from the cover plate section 66 adjacent the bottom of the firedoor through the plane of the backhead inner sheet [5 thereby forming a floor over which fuel may be hand fired. A depending wall '18 extending transversely across the front end of the floor plate 1'! straddles the distributor head 53. This wall 78 extends vertically between the rear wall of the elbow 45 and the floor plate Ti and transversely between the sides of the opening l9 to form a closure for the space at the sides of the distributor head between the elbow and the floor plate. Hence the floor plate and its depending wall form, with the associated parts, a closure preventing air from passing over the top of the elbow and the fioor plate constitutes a protecting shield for the distributor head and the pressure fluid supply lines.

Reinforcing flanges or ribs 80 extend along the sides of the floor plate Tl which as shown is secured to the cover plate section 66 by the tap bolts 8! although it may be formed integral therewith.

In operation fuel from the bunker 23 passes into the trough 26 from which it is conveyed forwardly by the conveyor screw sections 39, 40, 4! to the discharge elbow 45 where the fuel forms a stream filling the elbow and is urged upwardly therein by pressure of the advancing fuel from the conveyor screw. As the fuel rises in the elbow the gradually changing shape thereof from the circular intake opening to the triangular outlet opening causes the fuel stream to spread rearwardly and laterally and rise evenly in front of and at the sides of the distributor head 53. The under side of this head is V-shaped to assist in laterally spreading the fuel stream and to offer a minimum of resistance to its upward movement. As the fuel rises above the elbow it is swept across the firing table 51 and evenly over the grate l2a by the radially directed pressure fluid blast discharged from the jet openings 52. The head 53 extends into the elbow 45 a distance sufficient to permit arranging the jet openings whereby some of them will discharge approximately parallel to the backhead to project fuel to the rear corners of the firebox.

Should the conveyor organization of the stoker become inoperative fuel can be hand fired over the floor plate l! and deposited on the elbow and the firing table from which the pressure fluid blasts will spread the fuel over the firebed. The floor plate will shield the distributor head and the supply lines and also prevent fuel from being wasted by dropping down through the lower portion of the opening l9.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the stoker described has the advantages of distribution from a point within the firebox yet occupies a minimum of space therein, while at the same time it embodies the advantage of outside feed stokers of delivering the fuel to the propelling blasts with a minimum of degradation of the lumps, yet does not protrude to an objectionable with a bja'ckheadtherein and a cab rearward of saidbackhead provided with, a floor, saidfbackhead being provided with a vertically elongated firing opening=extending above andwbelow .lsaid floor, .an -inclined .stoker conduit extending from;

below the floor through the'lower portion ofsaid opening toa point within the firebox and opening upwardly therein, a distributor head mounted at the upper end of said conduit in a position to act on the fuel as it emerges therefrom, pressure fluid supply lines connected with said head extending rearward therefrom, a covering for that portion of the firing opening above said 'cab floor, said covering being apertured opposite the upper portion of the firing opening to provide an opening for hand firing of fuel, a firedoorfor said last named opening, that portion of said covering adjacent the lower end of said firedoor being provided with an upstanding ridge for restraining the firedoor against boiler explosions and having an aperture below the firedoor for receiving the pressure fluid supply lines to said distributor head,

and being disposed between the sides of the elongated firing opening, said plate having near its j forward side downwardly extending wall portions straddling the distributor head and forming a continuation of the rear wall of the conduit mouth, and a downward extending flange at its rear side arranged to receive means for securing said plate to said covering, said plate forming a floor portion for said hand firing opening and a protecting cover for said distributor head and pressure fluid supply lines. i v

2. In combination, a locomotive having a firebox with a backhead therein and a cab rearward of said backhead provided with a floor, said backhead being provided with a vertically elongated firing opening extending above and below said floor, an inclined stoker conduit extending from below the floor through the lower portion of said opening to a point within the firebox and opening upwardly therein, a distributor head mounted at the upper end of said conduit in a position to act on the fuel as it emerges therefrom, pressure fluid supply lines connected with said head extending rearward therefrom, a covering for that portion of the firing opening above said cab floor, said covering being apertured opposite the upper portion of the firing opening to provide an opening for hand firing of fuel, a firedoor for said last named opening, the forward end of said conduit terminating in an elbow member having bolting flanges extending rearwardly from the rear wall 'of the conduit mouth between the walls of the firing opening, a firing table mounted on the elbow from which the distributor head discharges the fuel as it rises from the elbow, said firing table provided with bolting flanges which extend rearward of the distributor and register with the rearward extending flanges of the elbow, means for and protecting said bolting means from the heat rays of the fire, said plate extending rearward to the covering and forming a floor for the hand .1 .i Inqcombination, a: locomotive. having; afirek box firinsnpe na n ap ect n c verror-sa d d s: tributor and fluid pressuresupplylines- 3,,In combination,--a locomotiv having a fi e-:

boxprovided witha backhead: and a' cab rearward of said backheadprovidedwith a floor,- said bwlihead being provided with; a vertically elon:

gated firing opening extending above and, below,

Sald flO0I;ja,Xl inclined stoker conduit extending, from beneathsaidfioor,through the lower portion" asaid neninsto an wi h n fir ox, said steker conduit ,beingprovided within said firebox plane of said discharge mouth and being disposed in a position to act on the fuel as it emerges therefrom, pressure fluid supply lines connected with said head and extending rearwardly therefrom, a plate above said distributor head extending transversely between the sides of the elongated firing opening and between the respective upper and lower ends of said sides, the portion of said elongated firing opening above said plate being arranged for manual introduction of fuel into the firebox, said plate forming a protecting cover for said distributor head and pressure fluid supply lines and having near its forwardsidea downward extending wall portion which straddles said distributor head and terminates at its lower portions in the aforesaid horizontal terminal plane of said discharge mouth.

4. In combination, a locomotive having a firebox provided with a backhead and a cab rearward of said backhead provided with a floor, said back- -head being provided with a vertically elongated firing opening extending above, and below said fioor, an inclined stoker conduit extending from beneath said floor through the lower portion of said opening to a point within the firebox, said stoker conduit being provided within said firebox with an upwardly directed fuel discharge mouth terminating in an approximately horizontal plane, a distributor head mounted at the upper end of said conduit adjacent the rear side, thereof and extending above the aforesaid horizontal terminal plane of said discharge mouth and being disposed in a position to act on the fuel as it emerges therefrom, pressure fluid supply lines connected with said head and extending rearwardly there from, a covering for that portion of the firing opening above said cab floor, said covering being apertured opposite the upper portion of the firing opening to provide an opening for manual introduction of fuel into the firebox, a firedoor for said last named opening, an aperture in said covering below said firedoor for receiving the pressure fluid supply lines to said distributor head, a plate above said distributor head extending transversely between the sides of the elongated firing opening below the level of said first named aperture and above the level of said second named aperture, said plate forming a protecting cover for said distributor head and pressure fluid supply lines and having near its forward side a downward extending wall portion which straddles said distributor head and terminates at its lower portions in the aforesaid horizontal terminal plane of said discharge mouth.

5. In a firebox having grates for supporting a firebed, a stoker for supplying fuel to said grates comprising, in combination, a conduit having an upturned elbow portion provided with a delivery mouth terminating above the level of said grates,

a conveyor screw rotatably mounted in said conduit and terminating adjacent the bend of said upturned elbow portion for urging fuel therethrough, the length of said upturned elbow portion through which fuel is urged by said conveyor screw being approximately equal to the greatest dimension across said delivery mouth, a distributor arranged to issue blasts of pressure fluid across the delivery mouth of said upturned elbow portion for projecting fuel over the grates, said delivery mouth being formed by straight side portions which converge toward each other, an end portion extending transversely of said firebox, and arcuate portions joining adjacent ends of said side and end portions, said distributor being positioned along said end portion and arranged to direct blasts of pressure fluid toward the converging side portions and the connecting arcuate portion therebetween, the foremost portion of said distributor terminating rearward of the rearmost end of the upper edge of said straight side portions.

E. ARCHER TURNER. 

